Why Is My Eye Discharging Green? Understanding Green Eye Discharge
Are you experiencing a green eye discharge? It can be a sign of something serious.
For different reasons, your eye discharge can be green, yellow, or white.
Green eye discharge is caused by a bacterial infection which can occur due to allergies, Conjunctivitis, or corneal ulcers.
According to NCBI, acute Conjunctivitis affects almost 6 million people annually in the United States alone.
People with Conjunctivitis experience itchy eyes along with a green eye discharge.
Green eye discharge can cause permanent eye damage if not treated in time.
Hence, it is crucial to visit a doctor as soon as possible.
This article will help you understand green eye discharge and suggest the best treatments for this condition.
Causes of Green Eye Discharge
Green eye discharge can be caused due to a lot of conditions which are discussed below.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is also known as pink eye.
It occurs when a virus or bacteria infects the conjunctiva (the white part of the eyeball and the inner eyelid).
People with Conjunctivitis experience green eye discharge, itching, pus in the eyes, and a burning sensation.
One can catch Conjunctivitis for many reasons –
- Shaking hands with someone who already has Conjunctivitis
- Coughing or Sneezing
- Touching an unclean object or surface and then touching your eyes
It is essential to note that Conjunctivitis spreads mainly through direct contact with an already contaminated person or object.
Keratitis
Keratitis is also known as corneal ulcer. It is caused due to viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
In Keratitis, there is an inflammation of the cornea in the eye due to infections.
An eye injury or wearing contact lenses for too long can cause Keratitis.
People experience red eyes, eye discharge, excessive tearing, and inability to open their eyes in Keratitis.
Proper medical care is required when a person contracts Keratitis.
Stye
Stye can be identified as a bump or a pimple on your eyelid.
A stye is formed due to the blockage and infection of an oil gland near the eyelashes.
People with style can experience symptoms such as eyelid swelling, soreness, itching, tearing, and crust formation along the eyelids.
It is generally said that styes aren’t contagious. Still, proper precautions must be taken, like washing your hands after touching a stye. This helps to reduce the spread of bacteria.
Dry Eye Syndrome
In Dry Eye Syndrome, the eyes cannot produce enough tears, which are required for the proper nourishment and lubrication of the eyes.
Tears are essential to provide a clear vision.
Older people are more prone to contract Dry Eye Syndrome.
Symptoms like redness, burning sensation, watery eyes, and eye discharge may be experienced in Dry Eye Syndrome.
Eye Allergies
In most eye allergies, a person experiences white or clear discharge from the eyes.
In some cases, eyes with allergies can get infected and produce a green discharge.
A person with eye allergies may experience red, itchy, or burning eyes, watery eyes, and swollen eyes.
Cold
A person can contract an eye infection that causes green eye discharge from the common cold.
It is more common in kids as they do not wash their hands properly, which increases the transmission of bacteria.
Treatment of Green Eye Discharge
Green eye discharge can be treated with the help of the proper medication and in severe cases, with surgery.
It is always better to consult your doctor if you have extreme green eye discharge.
Medicines
Green eye discharge can be scary but don’t panic. With the help of suitable medications, one can relieve this symptom.
As mentioned above, green eye discharge can happen for many reasons like Conjunctivitis, Keratitis, and even Dry eyes.
The following medications can help you deal with green eye discharge.
Medicines that help to treat green eye discharge | Price |
Besix Eye Drop 0.6% (5ml) (Conjunctivitis) | $14.90 |
Milflox 0.5% 5 ml (Conjunctivitis) | $2.93 |
Eyemist E/D 10 ml (Dry eyes) | $13.66 |
Surgery
In Infectious Conjunctivitis, surgery is not recommended. However, surgical techniques like Photorefractive keratectomy may be used in severe corneal issues.
In the case of Infectious Keratitis, Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) is the most common procedure.
Prevention
Right preventive measures, including personal measures and some home remedies, can help a person reduce the risk of green eye discharge.
Personal preventive measures for green eye discharge
Below are some measures a person can take to reduce the risk of transmitting bacteria that causes green eye discharge.
- Wash your hands properly before touching your eyes.
- Do not wear your contact lenses for an extended time.
- Avoid sharing eye makeup with others.
- Make sure to clean your eyes regularly.
- Avoid sharing towels or pillow covers with other people if you are experiencing green eye discharge.
Home remedies for green eye discharge
Home remedies may help a person get some relief, but it’s always better to consult a doctor for green eye discharge.
- Using salt water can be effective in treating green eye discharge as salt has antimicrobial properties.
- A warm compress can help reduce redness and irritation in the eyes.
- A cold compress can ease the discomfort caused by various eye infections.
- Make sure to wash your pillow covers to avoid the transmission of bacteria.
- Placing a cooled tea bag on your eyes can also help with discomfort.
Green eye discharge in a baby
Green eye discharge in kids and adults occurs for the same reasons, though the treatment for both may differ.
In babies, however, the discharge can be caused by a blocked tear duct.
In a blocked tear duct, the tears don’t normally drain due to blockage. The bacteria cannot go anywhere, so it stays in the eyelid causing an infection.
Call your doctor immediately if you notice a green eye discharge in your baby.
Conclusion
These bacterial infections leading to green eye discharge happen due to conditions like Conjunctivitis, Stye, Keratitis, and Eye Allergies.
Green eye discharge in adults and kids happens primarily for the same reasons, but the treatment for both may differ.
Also, it is essential to note that kids are more prone to green eye discharge from colds as they do not wash their hands properly.
If you suffer from a green eye discharge, take proper measures to avoid spreading bacteria to others.
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